Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydn… Read Full Bio ↴Royal Headache rose out of the bleak underground punk scene of Western Sydney, Australia in 2008. In part as a response to the gloomy post-punk bands happening at the time of its founding, the group infused its garage punk core with a hearty dose of '60s-inspired AM radio soul-pop. Going by foreshortened nicknames, the band consisted of Shogun on vocals, Joe on bass, Shortty on drums, and Law on guitar. The quartet quickly made a name for itself on the strength of a self-produced 7" and began playing locally. In 2011 the band released its self-titled debut LP on R.I.P. Society in Australia. The record was produced by Mikey Young, influential godfather of the Aussie punk scene and full-time member of Eddy Current Suppression Ring. This collection of incredibly catchy, punk-tinged power soul was met with a positive response almost across the board from the underground press, and gained the band much wider recognition. Tours of Europe and the United States followed, and in early 2012 the group's first record was re-released by What's Your Rupture? in America. Further success followed for the band as critical plaudits piled up and a tour of Australia with the Black Keys followed. The touring and lifestyle took a toll and in 2013 Shogun left the band. During their time apart Joe played in the band Bed Wetting Bad Boys and Shogun took on guitar duties for the group Low Life. The band reconvened to play some shows, including a tumultuous night at Sydney's Royal Opera House, and began working on its second album. Made up of songs that were begun around the time the first record was released, Royal Headache added some keyboards from friend Gabrielle De Giorgio, and worked to expand their sound. High was released in late August of 2015, again on What's Your Rupture?

Biography by Fred Thomas

Wouldn't You Know
Royal Headache Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When you look in her eyes,
you can see
to your surprise
a tender love
That's gentle and true
But it's her trust that's burning you

Cos wouldn't you know

Cos you ain't ever had love
so what would you know
what a little love can do
Baby wouldn't you know
Cos you ain't ever been loved,
now your running, just cos something has finally come through

Chased by wolves
and driven by stars,
you're surprised you've come this far
What are you hiding, inside your heart?
Is it so bad baby, that it sets you apart?

Cos wouldn't you know
Cos you ain't ever had love, so what would know what a little love could do?
Baby wouldn't you know
Cos you ain't ever been loved,
now you're running just cos something has finally come through

Baby, baby wouldn't you know
Cos you ain't ever had love
So what would you know
Of what a little love could do?

Baby wouldn't you know, you ain't ever been loved, Lola my darling, your Daddy loves you!

Overall Meaning

The song "Wouldn't You Know" by Royal Headache is about someone who has never experienced love before and is finally in a relationship. The lyrics describe the surprise and tenderness of the relationship, but also the fear and distrust that comes with being vulnerable. The main character questions whether they are worthy of love, and whether they are capable of handling it. The chorus emphasizes the idea that the person has never experienced love before, and therefore doesn't know what to expect or what they might be missing out on.

The song uses several metaphors to convey the emotions that the main character is feeling. The reference to being chased by wolves and driven by stars suggests that the character feels both pursued and inspired by the relationship. The line about something setting them apart implies that the character might feel unworthy of love or that they have something to prove. The final line, "Lola my darling, your Daddy loves you!" is an interesting juxtaposition because it seems to come out of nowhere and doesn't really fit with the rest of the song. It's unclear who Lola is or why they are being addressed, but it lends a sense of vulnerability and tenderness to the song and shows that even the person who is struggling to understand love is still capable of feeling it.

Overall, "Wouldn't You Know" is a touching and introspective song that explores the complex emotions that come with falling in love for the first time. The lyrics use powerful metaphors and imagery to convey these emotions, and the chorus drives home the idea that the person has never experienced love before and doesn't know what to expect.

Line by Line Meaning

When you look in her eyes,
Observing her gaze closely,

you can see
Perceiving and understanding

to your surprise
Unexpectedly

a tender love
A soft and affectionate love

That's gentle and true
A love that is mild and sincere

But it's her trust that's burning you
Being affected by her belief in you

Cos wouldn't you know
Asking a rhetorical question

Cos you ain't ever had love
Because you have never experienced love

so what would you know
You would not have knowledge

what a little love can do
The impact even a small amount of love can have

Baby wouldn't you know
Repeating the question to emphasize the idea